(22 January 2026 | Source: KTK TV channel)
Residents of the village of Zharkyn, located near Semey, have been unable to process documents for their homes for more than two years due to the territory's unclear administrative status.
HOW THE VILLAGE ENDED UP "BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE DISTRICT"
According to residents, Zharkyn previously belonged to the Prichny Rural District, but after administrative changes its status became unclear, as reported in the story by KTK TV channel. As a result, the villagers claim the settlement is effectively not assigned to either the city of Semey or the new Zhanasemey District.
A resident of the village, Tolkyn Yesmakayeva, said that in two years she has been unable to obtain a certificate of occupancy for her house. According to her, at the Public Service Centre (PSC) she is sent to the village authorities, and there she is sent back to the city. Correspondence with PSC representatives, she says, has been ongoing throughout this time.
UTILITIES AND PROPERTY WITHOUT DOCUMENTS
The problems, residents claim, go beyond property registration. Resolving utility issues is also accompanied by confusion. According to the villagers, infrastructure maintenance is carried out simultaneously by both city and village services.
A resident of the village, Gulzhan Shanasheva, reported that residents cannot sell their homes because when they apply to the PSC, they are directed either to Zhanasemey or to the city of Semey. According to her, the land belongs to one administrative level, and the housing to another.
THE AUTHORITIES' POSITION
After a collective appeal from residents to the regional akimat (administration), it was stated that currently the village of Zharkyn is part of the city of Semey. However, this decision did not satisfy some residents, as urban registration deprives them of the opportunity to benefit from state support measures intended for rural areas.
The akim (mayor) of the city of Semey, Adlet Kozhanbayev, said that the possible transfer of the village to the Zhanasemey district is currently under consideration. He also noted that the problems with documents for residential houses are not directly related to the territory's status and require a separate investigation.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Officials have promised to hold a separate meeting with residents and inform them of the results of the work. Specific deadlines and decisions are not specified in the materials. In the meantime, residents have been asked to wait for further clarification.